The Psaros Center for Financial Markets and Policy, which focuses on unbiased expertise at the intersection of finance and policy, hosted a panel Sept. 11 with Georgetown University graduates to share tips for prospective students in finance about the transition from Georgetown into the financial services industry. A networking reception followed the panel.
Lee Pinkowitz, associate professor and associate director at the Psaros Center, moderated the panel titled “Careers in Finance: Educational and Networking Event” which evaluated the challenges and tricks to navigating the path from a Hilltop education to a job in the financial sector.
Panelists in the discussion included Sarah Schoch (MSB ’16), a private equity senior associate at investment managing company Blackstone; Dave Khalsa (MBA ’12), managing director of investment banking at JP Morgan Chase; Isabel Singal (MSB ’18), private equity senior associate at Blackstone; Caroline Busby (MSB ’13), secretary of the CFA Institute Society Board and working at BlackRock and Feroz Khosla (MSB ’10), the managing director of investment banking at Goldman Sachs.
Reena Aggarwal, a professor of finance in the McDonough School of Business (MSB) and director of the Psaros Center, said the Center’s unique focus on the intersection of finance and public policy promoted a more interdisciplinary approach to business and finance.
“I think sometimes people forget — finance is not just about greed,” Aggarwal said at the event. “Finance really impacts the mainstream. You can be in finance and you can be doing good. So to people who work in the financial sector, I think you can keep your head up and say how important the financial sector is for the global economy.”
Khosla, presenting on the panel for a third year, said his time at Georgetown shaped his path through the financial sector and that he was happy to be back on campus.
“This is a home away from home for me because I actually didn’t grow up in this country,” Khosla said at the event. “I grew up in India, and so when I look back at my career at Goldman Sachs, but also my stint here at Georgetown, it really feels like a homecoming for me. So great to be back.”
Khosla emphasized that his involvement within the Georgetown University Alumni and Student Federal Credit Union (GUASFCU), a student-run credit union providing banking services to undergraduate students, has helped him get to his current job, where he helps companies raise debt and equity financing and hedges alternatives.
Singal said her shift toward private equity following her experience working in investment banking offered a different perspective, which she appreciated.
“I really liked the investing side of the process and I thought this was a really cool opportunity to kind of see that side of things, so that was just the right decision for me,” Singal said.
Busby said her journey in exploring the financial field and recruiting illustrated how her passion differed from the mainstream draw to investment banking.
“I had very little concept of what being in finance meant, but it sounded good,” Busby said at the event. “I always liked math; I do probably zero math nowadays. What I learned very quickly was that I wanted to stay as far away from investment banking as possible. The sooner you can know what you don’t want to do, the quicker you can get to what you do like.”
Busby also said exposure to the financial field is important for prospective employees in finance and it is helpful to attend on-campus conferences and networking events.
“I think it can be challenging when you don’t really have the exposure to the day to day. I think the best way to get exposed to what is out there is to come to events like this,” Busby said. “Make sure you’re taking advantage of any and all opportunities to connect with alumni because it really is going to help bring to life what is available.”
Khosla said he recommends students explore groups such as GUASFCU to find success in recruiting at popular finance companies; yet, it is not necessary, and these clubs may help students discover if finance should be their career path.
“What we’re trying to figure out is: Help me understand what this person is passionate about. Have they been able to clearly demonstrate that, when they’re passionate about something, they’re truly passionate?” Khosla said. “So, no, just being part of a credit union or any of these organizations is not an absolute must. If you join and you’ve shown that you’re passionate about it and you’ve excelled there, it doesn’t hurt.”
Kholsa added that the most important characteristics to possess throughout recruitment are understanding and empathy, which can shine through in networking and interviews and set applicants apart from classmates with similar backgrounds.
“Empathy is defined as being able to put yourself in somebody else’s shoes, and I would start honing that skill if it doesn’t come naturally to you, because that is a skill set that will differentiate you by far,” Khosla said.